Medical Marijuana

In recent years there has been a vast amount of research released that exemplifies cannabis’ diverse medical value, and 2016 – despite being far from over – has been no different. Below is a list featuring 10 of the top studies demonstrating this diversity released this year.

Overall, it's been a pretty exceptional two decades for the marijuana industry. Sure, there have been a few bumps in the road, like the failure of a medical marijuana amendment in Florida in 2014. But as a whole, the increasing acceptance of cannabis has been almost constant since 1996.

Since California first legalized medical marijuana for compassionate use in 1996, two dozen states have legalized its medical use -- that's half the country! This year alone, both Ohio and Pennsylvania have legalized the use of medical marijuana for certain ailments, and they both did so through the legislative process (i.e., without putting the issue on the ballot for voters to decide).

While the United States government refuses to admit the cannabis plant has any real medicinal benefit, its position has not prevented federal health agencies, over the years, from approving synthetic versions of the herb’s psychoactive component to be used by Big Pharma in the treatment of serious conditions.

In fact, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), one of the primary barriers in the grand scheme of nationwide legalization, recently approved a liquid variety of synthetic tetrahydrocannabidiol (THC) that will be sold to people suffering from AIDS and cancer.

In an effort to defeat Florida’s medical marijuana ballot initiative, the Drug Free Florida Committee has ramped up its fundraising, reportedly raising $805,000 between July 9 and July 15. The bulk of this money came from one contributor—the family that founded beloved supermarket chain Publix.

According to a recently filed financial disclosure, the Carol Jenkins Barnett Family Trust donated $800,000 to Drug Free Florida, a group opposed to Amendment 2, which would allow doctors to prescribe medicinal cannabis for certain debilitating illnesses.

SACRAMENTO, CA – The California Academy of Preventive Medicine (CAPM) announced its support for Proposition 64, the consensus statewide ballot measure known as the Control, Regulate and Tax Adult Use of Marijuana Act (AUMA).

CAPM is the official state specialty society for California physicians practicing in the fields of Preventive Medicine and Public Health.

“Proposition 64 is a thoughtful, comprehensive measure based on sound evidence-based science that will protect public health and fund vital health programs for California’s youth,” said Dr. Donald Lyman, Legislative Director for CAPM.

The Democratic National Convention started in Philadelphia on Monday, which drove many supporters and protesters to the city to advocate for their position while Democrats begin to layout their party platform over the next few days.

One such protest caught the eye of many in Philadelphia. Marijuana advocates from DCMJ.org brought out their now-famous inflatable joint that stitches more than 51-feet. Protesters marched the giant joint through the streets on a “jaywalk” towards the Wells Fargo Center, where the convention is taking place.